Summer has arrived! It's that time again for us to share some of our summer reading recommendations. Here are a few titles from our book-loving Board and Staff -- enjoy!

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

Connie by Connie Chung

What's Next by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack

Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille Dungy

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

An Immense World by Ed Yong

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr

Exhibit by R.O. Kwon

Cue the Sun! by Emily Nussbaum

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 

Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

Jenny Linskey (the Cat Club) series by Esther Averill 

The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World

by William Dalrymple

Who Is Government?:The Untold Story of Public Service 

edited by Michael Lewis

The Storytime Band & Friends @ The Freight

Thanks to everyone who attended on Saturday to enjoy a magical musical morning benefit for the Library, featuring The Story Time Band, Asheba, Mariela’s Music Time, and surprise guest Jerome Lu, the creative force behind Hyperactive Monkey and also the Story Time Band's artist. Kids and grown-ups of all ages were seen dancing, clapping, and making all kinds of joyful noises! What a fun and fabulous treat to be together in this way. Proceeds from Foundation events and campaigns help support library innovations, special initiatives, and improvements not covered by tax dollars. Learn more here.

JUNE Events @ Your LIBRARY

Level Up! June 5 - August 9

It's time for the summer reading challenge for all ages at the Berkeley Public Library. Sign up here or at any of our library locations. The library offers both online and offline tools to help you keep track of your reading. Participants get free books (while they last) and are entered into drawings for prizes for participation! Click the dragon to learn more.

Non-Violent Communication

with Kayla Hurd 

A workshop series exploring Non-Violent Communication (NVC)—a method of compassionate dialogue rooted in empathy, honesty, and mutual understanding. Offers practical tools for navigating challenging conversations and building deeper connections in personal, social, and systemic contexts. Held at Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch. Four sessions left. Details here.

The Berkeley Public Library Foundation is a 501 c 3 nonprofit Tax ID #94-3280180.